have been the opinion of almost all the
other officers, that the day was irretrievably lost, one wing of the
Highlanders being entirely routed, the rest of the army out-numbered,
out-flanked, and in a condition totally hopeless. In this situation of
things, the Irish officers who surrounded Charles's person interfered
to force him off the field. A cornet who was close to the Prince, left
a strong attestation, that he had seen Sir Thomas Sheridan seize the
bridle of his horse, and turn him round. There is some discrepancy of
evidence; but the opinion of Lord Elcho, a man of fiery temper, and
desperate at the ruin which he beheld impending, cannot fairly be taken
in prejudice of a character for courage which is intimated by the nature
of the enterprise itself, by the Prince's eagerness to fight on all
occasions, by his determination to advance from Derby to London, and by
the presence of mind which he manifested during the romantic perils of
his escape. The author is far from claiming for this unfortunate person
the praise due to splendid talents; but he continues to be of opinion,
that at the period of his enterprise, he had a mind capable of facing
danger and aspiring to fame.

That Charles Edward had the advantages of a graceful presence, courtesy,
and an address and manner becoming his station, the author never heard
disputed by any who approached his person, nor does he conceive that
these qualities are overcharged in the present attempt to sketch his
portrait. The following extracts, corroborative of the general opinion
respecting the Prince's amiable disposition, are taken from a manuscript
account of his romantic expedition, by James Maxwell of Kirkconnel,
of which I possess a copy, by the friendship of J. Menzies, Esq.,
of Pitfoddells. The author, though partial to the Prince, whom he
faithfully followed, seems to have been a fair and candid man, and well
acquainted with the intrigues among the Adventurer's council:--

'Everybody was mightily taken with the Prince's figure and personal
behaviour. There was but one voice about them. Those whom interest or
prejudice made a runaway to his cause, could not help acknowledging that
they wished him well in all other respects, and could hardly blame him
for his present undertaking. Sundry things had concurred to raise his
character to the highest pitch, besides the greatness of the enterprise,
and the conduct that had hitherto appeared in the execution of it. There
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